Zoliswa Nhleko
Zoe is a wildlife ecologist with over a decade of experience focusing on threatened and endangered species, particularly rhinos in South Africa. As the Senior Programs Manager at the Wildlife Conservation Network, she oversees the Partner Network, a coalition of conservation organizations and conservationists working with local communities to develop solutions that help both wildlife and people thrive. Through this network, organizations receive crucial support, including financial resources, tools, and services to enhance their growth and expand their conservation efforts.
Zoe earned her Ph.D. from the University of Florida, where she studied the impacts of poaching on white rhinos, examining aspects such as demography, behavior, spatial distribution, and physiological stress. Her Master of Science in Zoology from Rhodes University focused on the reproductive success and habitat use of black rhinos. Additionally, she holds a B.Sc. in Zoology and a B.Sc. Honors in Environmental Management.
Growing up in South Africa, Zoe was inspired by a museum exhibit of a dodo in second grade, which ignited her commitment to preventing animal extinctions. She has since dedicated her career to ensuring the survival of wildlife, contributing to the protection and management of species like rhinos. Zoe was employed as a junior scientist with South African National Parks (SANParks) in the renowned Kruger National Park. In 2017, she was honored as one of the Mail and Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans in the Environment category for her contributions to rhino research and management.
Now based in Denver, Colorado, Zoe enjoys occasional hikes, though she avoids the rigorous challenge of 14ers, and she has taken up roller skating and snowboarding in her spare time. She also has a passion for listening to podcasts on a wide range of topics.